Shoe.



Patented Jan. 16, I900. S. W. GUNN.

S H U E (Application filed May 12, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

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Patented Ian. l6, I900.

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SHOE.

(Application filed May 12, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Shaat 2,

(No Model.)

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NITED ESTATES PATENT FFIG SELIM W. GUNN, OF AGAYVAM, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO OSCAR L. KING, OF SAME PLACE.

SHOE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,642, dated January 16, 1900. Application filed May 12, 1899. Serial No. 716,551. (No model) To all whom, it may concern: I

Be it known that I, SELIM W. GUNN, a citizen of the United States of America,and a resident of Agawam, in the county of IIampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in shoes; and it has for its object the production of a shoe which can be adjusted both lengthwise and laterally, so as to fit different-sized feet.

My invention consists in a shoe having its sole formed of two parts, which are slidably connected at the heel of the shoe, combined with the upper and inserted pieces at the sides, which are adapted to be let out and taken up, according to the length of the shoe.

It also consists in a shoe having the upper secured to longitudinal pieces which rest upon the top of the sole and which are provided with a series of slots which extend at an angle to the length of the pieces, by means of which the upper can be expanded or contracted laterally, so as to fit feet of dilferent sizes.

It also consists in a shoe provided with a shank having its rear end slotted, an upper provided with inserted side pieces, which are adapted to be expanded and contracted, combined with an insole, a clamping-screw which extends through the slot in the rear end of the shank, and a heel into which the lower end of the screw extends.

In the accompanying drawings, which represent my invention, Figure 1 represents a perspective of a shoe which embodies my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the sole, the upper being removed. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of a shoe embodying my invention, taken through the center. Fig. 4 is also a longitudinal vertical section taken to one side of the center; I

A represents the sole of the shoe, which is made of suflicient length and breadth to adapt it for use upon feet of different sizes and to which the shank B is secured at its front end by means of screws, pegs, or any other suitable fastenings. The rear end of be increased the length of the slot H.

the shank B is made separate from the heel portion of the sole, and they overlap each other a suitable distance. This shank is formed of two pieces, between whichis inserted the usual spring, and the rear portion of the shank B is made not only separate from the rear part 0 of the sole, to which the heel D is connected, but is made adjustable lengthwise in relation to it, according as the shoe is to be lengthened or shortened to accommodate feet of different lengths and sizes.

The circular frame-like part 0, to which the heel is fastened, is attached to the inner portion E of the sole, to which the vamp is secured, and the sole is cut away at its center, so as to'receive the rear end of the shank B. The sides of the frame 0 are made dovetail, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to receive the upper dovetail portion D of the heel.

Through that part E of the sole to which the vamp F and the frame 0 are secured is made a suitable opening H, down through which and through a suitable slot H in the rear end of the shank is passed a screw G for the purpose of securing these parts rigidlyin any desired relation to each other. The rear end of the shank, where it fits inside of the part 0, being provided with a slot II, it is only necessary to loosen the screw G, when the heel-piece can be entirely removed from the part 0, or the parts can be loosened sufficiently so that the rear portion of the shoe can be moved forward or backward in relation to the shank, according as it is desired to lengthen or shorten the shoe to fit feet of different sizes or lengths or to substitute 7 diiferent heels.

In order to accommodate the rear portion of the shoe to any change in length, the pieces I are inserted between the vamp F and the rear end of the upper upon each side, and each piece extends the fullheight of the shoe and is of sufficient width to allow the shoe to The lower end of each of these pieces is secured in between the two parts of the shank by means of pegs or stitches, as may be desired, and is sewed to the rear edge of the upper upon each side, as shown in Fig. 1. To the forward edge of that inserted piece which is applied to the outer side of the shoe are secured the buttons K, by which the shoe is fastened to the foot, and upon the opposite side of the shoe, to the front edge of the inserted piece, I is secured the flap L, which extends across the instep and is provided with buttonholes to receive the buttons K. In order to provide for thelengthening and shortening of the shoe, both of these inserted pieces are provided with two parallel rows of eyelets N, through which the lacing-cord M is passed and by means of which the pieces I can be let out to their full width or the puckers in the pieces I can be taken up upon each side, as shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen the shoe is lengthened, these pieces I are let out accordingly by means of the laces M, and when the shoe is shortened the puckers or fullness in the pieces I are contracted merely by tightening the lacing-cords M.

By means of the construction above shown and described the length of the shoe can be increased or decreased at will.

The opposite edges of the upper J, in advance of the front end of the shank, are secured in any suitable manner to the pieces 0, which are placed upon the top of the sole and which are provided with the lateral slots P, through which screws or fastening devices Q, are passed into the sole A. The extreme front end of the upper may be attached directly to the sole, if so desired, and only attached to these side pieces Oatasuitable distance in the rear of the sole, or they may be secured entirely to the pieces 0 and not be fastened to the sole at any point. As here shown, the pieces 0 are made to extend the full length of the sole, and these pieces are fastened to the solo by means of screws a, which are passed through the sole from its outer side. These two forward screws aserve as pivotal points upon which the pieces 0 have a slight movement toward or from each other in proportion to the length of the slots P for the purpose of increasing or decreasing the width of the shoe, and thus adapting the shoe to feet of different widths.

In the bottom of the shoe is placed a suitable insole or covering S of suliicient thickness to protect the soles of the feet from the heads of the screws Q and G and from any inequalities in the pieces 0 produced by the.

slots in the pieces or the spaces between their inner edges.

In order to adapt the uppers J to the increased or decreased width of the shoe, a separate piece T is inserted in the upper, as shown in Fig. 1, and this piece is sewed only to the upper along the seam U and the front edge of the flap L and is provided with a row of eyelets V along near its center. Either the upper may be cut away at its top, as shown in Fig. 1, to receive this inserted piece T, which extends along the top of the foot, and the edge of this inserted piece may be turned inwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, or a slit 1) may be made through the upper and the outer edge of the inserted piece passed through the slit, as may be preferred. Along the upper edge of the side of the upper is formed another row of eyelets X, corresponding to the ones V, and through which eyelets V X a lacing Y is passed for the purpose of contracting or loosening and enlarging the shoe to fit feet of dilferent widths. This lacing-cord extends from near the toe of the shoe back nearly to the inserted pieces I on the side and at the base or beyond the lower end of the buttons K. Either the free edge of the inserted piece T may be turned inside of the upper J, as shown in Fig. 1, or there may be a slot formed in the upper and the edge of the piece passed down through the slit, as may be desired. If the slit is not used and the edge of the piece T is merely turned inside of the edge of the upper .I, an

inner flap W is used, and which fiap serves as a protector for the foot by forming a shield or guard to the lacing, and thus prevent the lacing injuring or feeling unpleasant to the foot.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A shoe, having its sole formed of two parts which are slidably connected at the heel of the shoe, combined with the upper, and inserted pieces at the sides, which are adapted to be let out and taken up according to the length of the shoe, substantially as described.

2. In a shoe, a shank having its rear end slotted, an upper provided with inserted side pieces which are adapted to be expanded and contracted, combined with an insole, a clamping-screw which extends through a slot in the rear end of the shank, and a heel into which the lower end of the screw extends, substantially as shown.

3. In a shoe, the sole, and the upper, combined with. adjustable side pieces, and suitable fastening devices which extend through the pieces into the sole, substantially as described.

4. A shoe provided with a sole, and an upper, combined with adjustable pieces to which the edges of the upper are attacherhand which pieces are adapted to be adjusted laterally upon the sole, substantially as set forth.

5. In a shoe, the sole, and the upper pro* vided with the seam U, combined with an inserted piece T which is attached to the upper along the seam U and has its edge turned down inside of the upper, and a lacing-cord for adjusting the inserted piece, substantially as shown.

7. In a shoe, the upper divided into two parts, inserted pieces placed between the two parts of the upper, and means for expanding and contracting the inserted pieces according as the shoe is lengthened or shortened, combined with the inserted piece T which is connected to the front part of the upper, means for adjusting this inserted piece, the sole, the slotted adjustable pieces to which the edges of the front portion of the upper are attached, and means for lengthening and shortening the shoe, substantially as set forth.

8. In a shoe which is adapted to be widened or narrowed, the sole, and the upper, having an opening through one side, combined with the inserted piece T which is connected to the upper at one edge, and which has its free edge passed down through the opening in the upper, and means for adjusting the inserted piece, substantially as specified.

9. In a shoe, the sole, the upper, and laterally-adj listing pieces 0, placed inside of the shoe and to which the edges of the upper are secured, and which pieces rest upon the sole, combined with an inserted piece T which is attached to the upper, and means for adjusting the inserted piece, substantially as de-' scribed.

SELIM W. GUNN.

Witnesses:

WM. S. BELLOWS, M. A. CAMPBELL. 

